Sport

SWINDON ROBINS: Rossiter puts his faith in local lad Ritchings

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Exclusive by Andy Warren, Deputy sports editor, awarren@swindonadvertiser.co.uk, @AndyWarren_

SWINDON Robins fans will be able to cheer on one of their own in 2014 following the club's signing of Darryl Ritchings to fill their final team spot.

A spot in the bottom two became available after Josh Bates was released to join Sheffield last month and after much deliberation Rossiter has elected to replace him with Purton’s Ritchings, after weighing up the limited options available to him.

Ritchings wasn’t originally picked up in the National League riders draft before Christmas but now, like Rossiter, he has been given the chance to ride for his hometown club having been a regular visitor to Blunsdon since he was old enough to take his first steps.

Rossiter admitted he had to think long and hard whether to go with Ritchings in his side for 2014 but is glad to be able to give Ritchings the chance to follow in his footsteps.

“Darryl seems really keen to do well and after he came back from his injury he has been sending me videos and pictures of himself in the gym and he’s coming along well,” Rossiter said.

“I can see the similarities between himself and me when I was getting started because making your debut for your home club is a very special moment.

“He wasn’t picked up in the draft and it makes sense for us to use him because he is a good rider and it’s a benefit because he’s local. This might give him a better chance than anywhere else.

“Once we are fully aware of the new race format he can make Swindon his own and he’s also pretty good around the little tracks.

“He’s riding for King’s Lynn in the National League this year and riding at another Elite League track so regularly can only help him.”

Ritchings described the chance to ride for the club he has supported all his life as ' a real honour'.

“I’ve been going to Swindon as long as I can remember so to get the chance to ride for them now is an amazing feeling and I just can’t wait,” he said.

“It’s a real honour for me to ride for the club and I’m really happy to have been given the chance."